West Fails Drug Test, Out For Valencia

By Cycle News Staff | 10/31/2012 9:32 AM

Fresh off his two best rides of the season in the rain at the Malaysian Grand Prix and in the dry at his home round of Phillip Island, comes news today that Australian road racer Anthony West has failed a drug test issued by the FIM at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans on May 20.

West's sample was found to contain Methylhexaneamine, which is more commonly know as DMAA - a dietary supplement that is on the banned list of substances of the 2012 FIM Anti-Doping Code. It is also found in some nasal decongestants.

West, who finished seventh at Le Mans, has been disqualified from the French round of the Moto2 World Championship and has been banned from competing in any FIM-affiliated events for one month - beginning on October 30, 2012. Thus West won't be able to compete in the series-ending Grand Prix of Valencia on November 11 in Spain.

West has five days to appeal the suspension.

West looked to have turned his season around with his second-place finishes in Malaysia and Australia on the QMMF Racing Team Speed Up Moto2 entry.